PUTRAJAYA, January 10 – The first meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Task Force (MyTTF) was held today and chaired by me to discuss strategic actions for the conservation of the Malayan Tiger.
The meeting was attended by the YAB Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor and the YB Members of the State Government Council representing the Menteri Besar of Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Kedah and Perak. At the Federal level, it was attended by the Honorable Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Honorable Minister of Finance as well as representatives from relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
In this meeting, MyTTF agreed on Strategic Actions for the Conservation of Malayan Tigers for a period of 10 years (2021 to 2030) through the following six approaches:
(i) Enforcement and control patrols (boots on the ground) involving the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) together with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) as well as the Orang Asli community.
(ii) Habitat maintenance and strengthening through sustainable land use management and stopping any encroachment and poaching activities.
(iii) To increase the existing forested area in Peninsular Malaysia from 43.41 per cent to 50 per cent by 2040 in line with the Fourth National Physical Plan.
(iv) Strengthen effective governance through the establishment of the Malayan Tiger Conservation Unit under PERHILITAN, the Wildlife Crime Bureau under PDRM, and the strengthening of the National Wildlife Forensic Laboratory as a center of excellence for the ex-situ conservation of Malayan Tigers.
(v) Strengthen innovative financial instruments in addition to the existing Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation financial incentives and the implementation of the Malayan Tiger habitat accreditation scheme.
(vi) Save the Malayan Tiger Campaign to increase awareness and involvement of strategic partners.
The establishment of MyTTF is a high agreement and commitment of the Federal and state Governments in addressing the Malayan Tiger population crisis. It serves as a negotiation platform for national policies, legislation and strategies for the conservation of the Malayan Tiger and its habitat.
The government is seriously addressing the issue of the Malayan Tiger population or its scientific name Panthera tigris jacksoni in the country’s forests which is currently recorded to be less than 150. Among others, it is due to the loss of habitat and food resources due to land use changes, hunting and illegal trade as well as the spread of canine distemper virus.
The Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 [Act 716] was amended and passed by Parliament on 21 December 2021 to enhance the effectiveness of wildlife conservation legislation including the Malayan Tiger.
Through the amendment, the maximum fine has been increased from RM500,000 to RM1 million and the maximum jail term from 10 years to 15 years in order to prevent and provide appropriate lessons to perpetrators of wildlife crimes.
In addition, there are new provisions to enable action to be taken against individuals who advertise the sale of wildlife online.
If immediate action is not taken, Malaysia faces the risk of extinction of the Malayan Tiger which is the symbol of the National Coat of Arms, the emblem of the states as well as various ministries, departments and agencies. More worryingly, the country’s iconic species will disappear forever.
